Partnership Research

Our approach is designed to build understanding in terms of the organizational context, but also provide insight into the economic, social, and cultural factors that contribute to success. Organizations have different mission, goals, human resources, social, economic, and ecological factors that impact what “success” means. Partnership research examines the operational environment, comparable organizations within the sector and around the world to identify key factors for success, lessons learned, and best practices. We provide expertise in a number of research methods including building community and organizational profiles, surveying, asset mapping, focus groups, interviews and strategic conversations.

Strategic Partnership Planning  is focused on organizational development and capacity building. We facilitate dialogue with potential partners and stakeholders evaluating the current reality, strengths and weaknesses in terms of implementing and servicing partnerships. We work with a guiding coalition through a process of relationship building and collaborative problem solving to build trust. In doing so, the partners are able to identify common objectives and link resource commitments to build organizational capacity and achieve strategic goals in a cost effective and efficient manner. Partnership planning also contributes to organizational sustainability by enhancing adaptive capability to innovate and respond to change.
 
Partnership Implementation represents a significant challenge for many organizations. Our approach builds understanding and facilitates connections that help organizations and communities to create climates of collaboration. We facilitate consensus-based workshops that involve stakeholders and
potential partners working together to build understanding and develop new ways of thinking creatively about complex challenges. Organizations are increasingly working on projects that require leadership collaboration amongst diverse stakeholders (members of an organization or community of practice within a sector). Our firm works with organizations to develop partnerships that embrace diversity, and allow for creative, flexible and innovative approaches to complex problems. We work with organizations and communities to facilitate shared learning, to create connective leadership, to clarify partnership roles, purpose, relationships, as well as identify effective action strategies that contribute to organizational and community success.